The gloves stayed on, for the most part, between the four Republican candidates vying to be nominated for governor.

The quartet focused more on demonstrating their electability, both in the March 18 primary election and November’s general election during a debate Thursday night — their only televised downstate debate.

That included a near-unified focus on job growth and a unanimous opposition to continuing the temporary income tax increase slated to begin its rollback in 2015.

“We need a booming economy where businesses are competing to hire workers,” businessman Bruce Rauner said as part of an explanation supporting minimum wage increases in conjunction with offering incentives to grow commerce in the state. “That’s the best way to raise wages for every worker.”

State Sen. Kirk Dillard likewise decried the tax rate as discouraging business in the state.

“No state has ever taxed its way into prosperity,” the Hinsdale lawmaker said, advocating for business development.

Treasurer Dan Rutherford supported the notion of a thorough review of state operations, something he said he instituted four years ago after being elected to his statewide office.

“I’m going to have an opportunity to have everything on the table,” he pledged during the 90-minute debate sponsored by a coalition of downstate public television and radio stations and the Illinois League of Women Voters.

State Sen. Bill Brady insisted there was another component that any governor needs to bring to the forefront.

“We need a governor who can go out and market … what Illinois has for the people,” the Bloomington legislator said.

None of the candidates cited three specific, programmatic cuts they’d make in order to balance the budget and make it possible — absent deeper deficit spending — for the tax cut to go away as they were asked to in an early question, however.

While the gubernatorial race has been laced with attacks on candidates — specifically Rauner — by opponents and media, some candidates avoided the subject completely.

During a section of the debate reserved for clarification or expansion on candidates’ talking points, Rutherford passed the open invitation in favor of letting his opponents attack each other, sometimes by name and others by allusion. He later said that decision was no accident.

“There is a cost to ‘my way or the highway,’” Dillard said of the management style he labeled typical within Rauner’s venture capital industry.

Page 2 of 2 -

Brady seized on differences he and Rauner had on the minimum wage increase — Rauner has indicated support both for lowering and, under the right conditions with business reform, raising it. To the former, Brady said it damaged the Republican brand.

“We need a governor who’s going to be consistent on these issues.

Rauner brushed off the attacks from his opponents, though.

“I have been attacked pretty much for a year, and now the intensity of attacks is going to go up,” he said. “And it’s because my message is a threatening one to the powers that be. I’m a threat to the status quo in this state.”

He also repeatedly stressed his difference from his opponents. Asked about the issue of medical marijuana — for which none of the candidates indicated support for the provisions passed by the Democratic-majority Legislature last year — he used it as a springboard into one of the problems he sees plaguing Springfield.

“It’s so symptomatic of the fundamental failure of Illinois government,” he said, labeling it a relatively minor issue, but one that took oxygen and focus away from large-scale budgetary problems.

With Rauner leading in the polls, the other three candidates tried to differentiate themselves, either touting strengths similar to his or noting worries he may have if he’s the nominee.

“Being governor of Illinois is not an entry-level position,” Dillard said.

Rutherford repeatedly touted his ability to reach across the aisle, something he said was demonstrated by his vote haul in the 2010 treasurer’s race.

“I’m a reasonable Republican, that’s why I win,” he said.

Brady, meanwhile, revisited his unsuccessful 2010 campaign.

“I’m the only one on this stage who’s run against (Gov.) Pat Quinn,” he said. “I’ve done it. We’ll finish the job this time.”